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Column 2 Includables

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On the eve of another US war for oil, Abby Martin debunks the most repeated myths about Venezuela and uncovers how US sanctions are crimes against humanity with UN investigator and human rights Rapporteur Alfred De Zayas.

Timothy M. Gill(2019-02-22). Why is the Venezuelan Government Rejecting U.S. Food Supplies?counterpunch.org There's no denying that a serious economic and humanitarian crisis faces Venezuela. Millions of citizens have left the country, and those who have remained have lost considerable weight and have inadequate access to food and medicine. Hyperinflation continues unabated, and, with the Trump administration recently leveling sanctions against the Venezuelan state oil company (PDVSA), the crisis is only intensifying. More

Andrew Levine(2019-02-22). Ilhan Omar Owes No Apologies, Apologies Are Owed Her.counterpunch.org Muslims and other persons of color who do not kowtow to Zionist positions are routinely deemed "anti-Semitic," notwithstanding the fact that, unlike in Europe, historically Muslim parts of the world have had little or no connection either to theologically or racially grounded hatred of Jews qua Jews until quite recently. On the other hand, persons of European descent whose views reek of historical connections with the genuine article get a pass insofar as they are outspoken friends of the Israeli state. Just a few years ago, it seemed that true anti-Semitism, as distinct from the anti-Zionism Zionists confound wi…

amnesty(2019-02-22). Iran: Stop imminent execution of three prisoners arrested as teenagers.amnesty.orgThe Iranian authorities must immediately halt plans to execute three young men who are on death row for crimes that took place while they were under the age of 18, said Amnesty International. | The organization has learned that Mohammad Kalhori, Barzan Nasrollahzadeh and Shayan Saeedpour, who were all convicted for separate crimes that took place while they were minors, are at risk of imminent execution. | "The Iranian authorities must act quickly to save these young men's lives. Failing to stop their execution would be another abhorrent assault on children's rights by Iran. International human rights law stri…

susan_p(2019-02-22). US sanctions cost Venezuela US$38 billion.greenleft.org.au Venezuelan Vice President of Planning, Ricardo Menendez said on February 18 that direct losses to the nation's economy from US financial sanctions are estimated to be US$38 billion. | The figure corresponds only to the effects on the production of goods and services, as well as on the oil trade, he said in an interview with the Venezuelan News Agency. | Of this total, $23 billion corresponds to the impact on GDP. $15 billion is related to the siege against Citgo, a subsidiary of the Venezuelan state oil company, in the US, which was seized at the end of January. | The greatest amount of production losses coi…

Middle East Monitor(2019-02-22). US to Keep 200 Troops in Syria After Pullout, White House Says.theantimedia.com (MEMO) — The United States will leave "a small peacekeeping group" of 200 American troops in Syria for a period of time after a US pullout, the White House said on Thursday, as President Donald Trump pulled back from a complete withdrawal, Reuters reports. Trump in December ordered a withdrawal of the 2,000 American troops in Syria, saying they …

Consortiumnews(2019-02-21). 'Rule of the Rabbis' Fuels Holy War in Israel.consortiumnews.comPalestinians, the secular and women all face a harsher environment as theocratic tendencies are entrenched, writes Jonathan Cook. By JonathanCook Jonathan-Cook.net In which country did a senior, state-salaried cleric urge his followers last month to become "warriors," emulating a group of… Read more →

Arnold August(2019-02-21). Trump-Trudeau Venezuelan Achilles Heel: Civilian-Military Union.telesurenglish.netAfter spending two days in Caracas on February 3 and 4, including a semi-private meeting with President Maduro, this is my basic impression. The situation in Caracas is the opposite of what is portrayed in the international corporate media in the U.S., Canada and other countries in the West. It is calm. There are no people starving to death, nor "civil war" violence as the media repeat. That is not to say that there is not an economic crisis, but this is largely caused by the crippling economic sanctions and threats that the U.S. has imposed on Venezuela over the last few years. The sanctions and threats began…

Democracy Now!(2019-02-21). Headlines for February 21, 2019.democracynow.orgWhite Supremacist Coast Guard Lt. Had "Hit List" of Democratic Targets, Trump Considering Anti-Science Adviser to Head Climate Change Committee, SCOTUS Limits State and Local Civil Asset Forfeiture, Massive Fire Kills At Least 80 in Bangladesh, Mexico: 2 Radio Journalists Killed in Past Week, U.N. Warns of Oil Company Complicity in South Sudan Mass Atrocities, Egypt Executes 9 Men over 2015 Prosecutor Killing Amid Claims of Torture, Syria: Civilians Evacuated from ISIS Enclave, Trump Says Alabama Woman Who Joined ISIS Should Not Be Allowed Back in U.S., West Virginia Teachers End Strike After Killing Pro-Charter…

STAFF(2019-02-21). Smollett Reactions Epitomize Polarized State of U.S. Politics.truthdig.comDemocratic politicians and celebrities called it a shocking instance of Trump-era racism and hate. Republicans now depict it as yet another example of liberals and mainstream media rushing to judgment while disparaging the president's supporters as bigots. | The case of "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett encapsulates the polarized state of political discourse in America. | With Smollett now accused of staging a racist, anti-gay attack on himself, the case seemed to inflame political tensions even more while creating potentially damaging consequences for genuine hate crime victims in the future. | "The danger is that…

amnesty(2019-02-21). Senegal: Election must be held in a climate free from violence and intimidation.amnesty.orgTwo killed during campaign rallies : | Journalists caught up in violence : | Pressures on pro-democracy activists: | Authorities in Senegal should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the Presidential election is held in a climate that is free from violence and respects the freedom of all people to express their views, Amnesty International said ahead of Sunday's presidential polls. | On 11 February during campaign rallies, two people were killed in the south eastern town of Tambacounda. Many others, including journalists, were injured following violent clashes between supporters o…

pip.hinman(2019-02-21). Victorian Socialists hold inaugural conference.greenleft.org.au Following its successful November state election campaign, the Victorian Socialists held its inaugural conference on February 16, attended by more than 230 members. | Victorian Socialists — an alliance involving the Socialist Alliance, Socialist Alternative and other activists and organisations — was formed earlier last year. Its first major campaign was aimed at gaining a spot in the Northern Metropolitan legislative council region with Yarra socialist councillor Steve Jolly. And while it came fourth, preference deals meant that Jolly was ultimately not elected. | The party also ran candidates in a n…

Middle East Monitor(2019-02-21). US Court Reopens Lawsuit Against Billionaire Israel Donor Sheldon Adelson.theantimedia.com (MEMO) — A US appeals court has reopened a billion-dollar lawsuit against Jewish-American tycoon Sheldon Adelson, which seeks to hold him and more than 30 others liable for war crimes and support of Israel's illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt). The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (DC) Circuit yesterday voted unanimously …

Peace Action(2019-02-20). Statement of Pro-Diplomacy Groups Regarding U.S. Policy Toward Iran.peaceaction.orgPro-diplomacy groups representing millions of American voters urge lawmakers to publicly articulate and support the following principles with respect to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that verifiably blocks each of Iran's pathways to a nuclear weapon and created a much-needed diplomatic relationship between Iran, the United States, and U.S. allies: Support for the JCPOA and …

unitedEditor(2019-02-19). Trump's Iran strategy: regime change or regime collapse?uwidata.com When Donald Trump took office in January 2017, he made it clear that countering Iran was a top priority on his agenda. Trump ripped up the Iran Nuclear Deal, also known as JCPOA; reimposed pre-JCPOA sanctions and even added new ones that were unprecedented in terms of their scope and scale; and put Iranian citizens, …

Democracy Now!(2019-02-19). Amazon's Defeat in NYC Galvanizes Movement to End Billion-Dollar Corporate Welfare.democracynow.org New York City is still reeling since Amazon announced last week that it was scrapping plans to build a major office facility in Queens. The decision came under mounting pressure from grassroots activists and local politicians who opposed the deal. Amazon had announced the project in November after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio offered Amazon nearly $3 billion in tax subsidies to come to the city. But local politicians and community organizers rallied against the tech giant and won. The lawmakers who took down Amazon say their victory is just the beginning of a major fight a…

Democracy Now!(2019-02-18). Angela Davis Returns to Birmingham, Reflecting on Palestinian Rights & Fight for Freedom Everywhere.democracynow.org Civil rights icon and scholar Angela Davis returned to her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, over the weekend. She originally planned the visit to receive the Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, but the institute withdrew the award last month, soon after the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center sent a letter urging the board to reconsider honoring Davis due to her support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement targeting the Israeli government and Israeli institutions. Facing swift and widespread outcry, the institute then reversed its decision and reinst…

Artists Call for Eurovision Boycott, if Event Held in Israel (Pt 1/2)
Shared by Hezvo Mpunga | therealnews.com | 2019-02-22
Danielle Alma Ravitzki explains how the Israeli government uses the Eurovision song contest to whitewash and pinkwash its crimes against Palestinians. This year the contest will take place in Tel-Aviv, and artists from around the world are calling for a boycott…
therealnews.com/stories/artists-call-for-eurovision-boycott-if-event-held-in-israel-pt-1-2

UN: Sexual Violence, Warfare Linked to South Sudan's Oil
teleSUR | telesurenglish.net | 2019-02-22
Reports from the United Nation's Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has disclosed heinous human rights violations that were committed in the eight-year-old nation in 2018. | RELATED: | Sudanese Forces Tortured and Killed Dozens: Activists | The global agency stated that sexual violence against women is rampant and reported "on a massive scale," while similar violations against men and boys "remains significantly under-reported due to social stigma." The organization also detailed…
telesurenglish.net/news/UN-Sexual-Violence-Warfare-Linked-to-South-Sudans-Oil-20190222-0005.html

Why is the Venezuelan Government Rejecting U.S. Food Supplies?
Timothy M. Gill | counterpunch.org | 2019-02-22
There's no denying that a serious economic and humanitarian crisis faces Venezuela. Millions of citizens have left the country, and those who have remained have lost considerable weight and have inadequate access to food and medicine. Hyperinflation continues unabated, and, with the Trump administration recently leveling sanctions against the Venezuelan state oil company (PDVSA), the crisis is only intensifying.
counterpunch.org/2019/02/22/why-is-the-venezuelan-government-rejecting-u-s-food-supplies/

Venezuela's Former Minister of Communes and Culture Talks to TRNN About the Crisis
Shared by Jocelyn Dombroski | therealnews.com | 2019-02-22
Well-known Venezuelan writer and theorist, Reinaldo Iturriza, says US sanctions and the low price of oil have devastated Venezuela'seconomy…
therealnews.com/stories/venezuelas-former-minister-of-communes-and-culture-talks-to-trnn-about-the-crisis

Video: Why is the S-300 Air Defense System in Syria Not Being Used Against Israeli Aircraft
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2019-02-22
There has been considerable speculation in recent months concerning reasons why the S-300 air defense systems supplied to the Syrian Arab Army by the Russian Federation have yet to fire a shot in anger at Israeli aircraft encroaching on its …
globalresearch.ca/video-why-is-the-s-300-air-defense-system-in-syria-not-being-used-against-israeli-aircraft/5669304

'Jerusalem's legacy and status are under Israeli assault'
Ma'an News Agency | zcomm.org | 2019-02-22
We must work together to defend Jerusalem from the violent zeal of Israeli actions…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/jerusalems-legacy-and-status-are-under-israeli-assault/

Ilhan Omar Owes No Apologies, Apologies Are Owed Her
Andrew Levine | counterpunch.org | 2019-02-22
Muslims and other persons of color who do not kowtow to Zionist positions are routinely deemed "anti-Semitic," notwithstanding the fact that, unlike in Europe, historically Muslim parts of the world have had little or no connection either to theologically or racially grounded hatred of Jews qua Jews until quite recently. On the other hand, persons of European descent whose views reek of historical connections with the genuine article get a pass insofar as they are outspoken friends of the Israeli state. Just a few years ago, it seemed that true anti-Semitism, as distinct from the anti-Zionism Zionists confound wi…
counterpunch.org/2019/02/22/ilhan-omar-owes-no-apologies-apologies-are-owed-her/

US sanctions cost Venezuela US$38 billion
susan_p | greenleft.org.au | 2019-02-22
Venezuelan Vice President of Planning, Ricardo Menendez said on February 18 that direct losses to the nation's economy from US financial sanctions are estimated to be US$38 billion. | The figure corresponds only to the effects on the production of goods and services, as well as on the oil trade, he said in an interview with the Venezuelan News Agency. | Of this total, $23 billion corresponds to the impact on GDP. $15 billion is related to the siege against Citgo, a subsidiary of the Venezuelan state oil company, in the US, which was seized at the end of January. | The greatest amount of production losses coi…
greenleft.org.au/content/us-sanctions-cost-venezuela-us38-billion

Iran: Stop imminent execution of three prisoners arrested as teenagers
amnesty | amnesty.org | 2019-02-22
The Iranian authorities must immediately halt plans to execute three young men who are on death row for crimes that took place while they were under the age of 18, said Amnesty International. | The organization has learned that Mohammad Kalhori, Barzan Nasrollahzadeh and Shayan Saeedpour, who were all convicted for separate crimes that took place while they were minors, are at risk of imminent execution. | "The Iranian authorities must act quickly to save these young men's lives. Failing to stop their execution would be another abhorrent assault on children's rights by Iran. International human rights law stri…
amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/02/iran-stop-imminent-execution-of-three-prisoners-arrested-as-teenagers/

US actor Danny Glover slams US over Venezuela
susan_p | greenleft.org.au | 2019-02-22
During an interview with the Real News Network, US actor and activist Danny Glover criticised the US over its actions against Venezuela. | Glover accused the US of having "taken the billions of dollars that rightfully belonged to the Venezuelan people, [and] placed sanctions on…
greenleft.org.au/content/us-actor-danny-glover-slams-us-over-venezuela

US to Keep 200 Troops in Syria After Pullout, White House Says
Middle East Monitor | theantimedia.com | 2019-02-22
(MEMO) — The United States will leave "a small peacekeeping group" of 200 American troops in Syria for a period of time after a US pullout, the White House said on Thursday, as President Donald Trump pulled back from a complete withdrawal, Reuters reports. Trump in December ordered a withdrawal of the 2,000 American troops in Syria, saying they …

Foreign Correspondent: How the War in Yemen Could End in a Matter of Days
Reese Erlich | progressive.org | 2019-02-21
"It would affect their ability to fight immediately."
progressive.org/dispatches/how-the-war-in-yemen-could-end-in-days-erlich-190221/

'Rule of the Rabbis' Fuels Holy War in Israel
Consortiumnews | consortiumnews.com | 2019-02-21
Palestinians, the secular and women all face a harsher environment as theocratic tendencies are entrenched, writes Jonathan Cook. By JonathanCook Jonathan-Cook.net In which country did a senior, state-salaried cleric urge his followers last month to become "warriors," emulating a group of… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2019/02/20/rule-of-the-rabbis-fuels-holy-war-in-israel/

UNESCO to Document Israeli Violations in Jerusalem
teleSUR | telesurenglish.net | 2019-02-21
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) may send a mission to document Israeli violations in occupied Jerusalem, according to Al-Wattan Voice Wednesday. | RELATED: | Israeli Police Evict Palestinians From Home Without Notice | Speaking to Palestine Voice, Mounir Anastas, representative of the Palestinian Authority to the U.N. organization, said that "Israel continues to prevent international UNESCO experts from documenting Israeli violations ag…
telesurenglish.net/news/UNESCO-to-Send-Mission-to-Document-Israeli-Violations-in-Jerusalem-20190221-0021.html

Trump-Trudeau Venezuelan Achilles Heel: Civilian-Military Union
Arnold August | telesurenglish.net | 2019-02-21
After spending two days in Caracas on February 3 and 4, including a semi-private meeting with President Maduro, this is my basic impression. The situation in Caracas is the opposite of what is portrayed in the international corporate media in the U.S., Canada and other countries in the West. It is calm. There are no people starving to death, nor "civil war" violence as the media repeat. That is not to say that there is not an economic crisis, but this is largely caused by the crippling economic sanctions and threats that the U.S. has imposed on Venezuela over the last few years. The sanctions and threats began…
telesurenglish.net/news/Trump-Trudeau-Venezuelan-Achilles-Heel-Civilian-Military-Union-20190221-0014.html

Trump Regime Pursuing Nuclear Technology Sales to the Saudis
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2019-02-21
Saudi Arabia is a fascist dictatorship run in cahoots with religious extremists — the Middle East's most dangerous regime after Israel. | Other than nations already with nukes, it's likely the last regime on earth anti-war activists would want to be …
globalresearch.ca/trump-regime-pursuing-nuclear-technology-sales-to-the-saudis/5669285

Smollett Reactions Epitomize Polarized State of U.S. Politics
STAFF | truthdig.com | 2019-02-21
Democratic politicians and celebrities called it a shocking instance of Trump-era racism and hate. Republicans now depict it as yet another example of liberals and mainstream media rushing to judgment while disparaging the president's supporters as bigots. | The case of "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett encapsulates the polarized state of political discourse in America. | With Smollett now accused of staging a racist, anti-gay attack on himself, the case seemed to inflame political tensions even more while creating potentially damaging consequences for genuine hate crime victims in the future. | "The danger is that…
truthdig.com/articles/smollett-reactions-epitomize-polarized-state-of-u-s-politics/

Canadian Peace Congress: Act Now to Defend Venezuela's Sovereignty! No Sanctions! No Coup d'État! No Military Intervention!
Canadian Peace Congress | globalresearch.ca | 2019-02-21
The orchestrated campaign to remove the elected government in Venezuela and replace it with a puppet authority willing to serve U.S. economic and political interests has now reached a critical moment, one which may well end in a bloody civil …
globalresearch.ca/canadian-peace-congress-act-now-to-defend-venezuelas-sovereignty-no-sanctions-no-coup-detat-no-military-intervention/5669252

Trump Is Making a Mockery of 'Humanitarian Aid' in Venezuela
Nate Singham | commondreams.org | 2019-02-21
During 2018, the Trump administration continued to strengthen sanctions targeting Venezuela through the issuance of additional executive orders. (@compartycanada) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files……
commondreams.org/views/2019/02/21/trump-making-mockery-humanitarian-aid-venezuela?cd-origin=rss

Fraught Times for Europe's Jews Now Advised to Reconsider Their Unqualified Support for Israel
Hans Stehling | globalresearch.ca | 2019-02-21
Jewish communities in Britain and France, London and Paris, together with the rest of Europe are now reconsidering their unqualified support for the state of Israel in terms of money and arms which they concede are used for the subjugation …
globalresearch.ca/fraught-times-for-europes-jews-now-advised-to-reconsider-their-unqualified-support-for-israel/5669269

Resisting Trump Is Not Enough: 20,000 Activists Ask Democratic Candidates Where They Stand on Bold Agenda
Roger Hickey | commondreams.org | 2019-02-21
Over 90 well-known veterans of the successful 2018 campaign have signed a bold new Pledge to Fight for Good Jobs, Sustainable Prosperity and Economic Justice. (Image: Campaign for America's Future) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files……
commondreams.org/views/2019/02/21/resisting-trump-not-enough-20000-activists-ask-democratic-candidates-where-they?cd-origin=rss

Victorian Socialists hold inaugural conference
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2019-02-21
Following its successful November state election campaign, the Victorian Socialists held its inaugural conference on February 16, attended by more than 230 members. | Victorian Socialists — an alliance involving the Socialist Alliance, Socialist Alternative and other activists and organisations — was formed earlier last year. Its first major campaign was aimed at gaining a spot in the Northern Metropolitan legislative council region with Yarra socialist councillor Steve Jolly. And while it came fourth, preference deals meant that Jolly was ultimately not elected. | The party also ran candidates in a n…
greenleft.org.au/content/victorian-socialists-hold-inaugural-conference

Senegal: Election must be held in a climate free from violence and intimidation
amnesty | amnesty.org | 2019-02-21
Two killed during campaign rallies : | Journalists caught up in violence : | Pressures on pro-democracy activists: | Authorities in Senegal should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the Presidential election is held in a climate that is free from violence and respects the freedom of all people to express their views, Amnesty International said ahead of Sunday's presidential polls. | On 11 February during campaign rallies, two people were killed in the south eastern town of Tambacounda. Many others, including journalists, were injured following violent clashes between supporters o…
amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/02/senegal-election-must-be-held-in-a-climate-free-from-violence/

Caving under MSM pressure? Tulsi Gabbard interview on The View has some supporters fuming
RT | rt.com | 2019-02-21
US Presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard is being accused of "flip-flopping" on her Syria stance and "caving" to mainstream media pressure after a combative interview on The View. | …
rt.com/usa/452095-tulsi-gabbard-the-view-mccain/

French President's Promise to Crack Down on Anti-Semitism Could Threaten Critics of Israel
Robert Mackey | theintercept.com | 2019-02-21
French police officers will investigate critics of Israel who question the nature of the Jewish state for possible violations of law against hate speech.
theintercept.com/2019/02/21/french-presidents-promise-crack-anti-semitism-threaten-critics-israel/

Taiwan: Asia's 1st Draft Law on Same-sex Marriage Is Unveiled
teleSUR | telesurenglish.net | 2019-02-21
Taiwan proposed a draft law to allow same-sex marriage in Asia's first such bill Thursday, however, the legislation was criticized by rights activists and conservative groups amid a heated debate over marriage equality. | RELATED: | Taiwan's Same-Sex Couples Put Future on Hold After Vote Defeat | Voters had opposed marriage equality in a series of referendums late last year, defining marriage strictly as between a man and a woman and asking for a special law to be enacted for sa…
telesurenglish.net/news/Taiwan-Asias-1st-Draft-Law-on-Same-sex-Marriage-Is-Unveiled-20190221-0022.html

Actor Jussie Smollett arrested after allegedly 'faking racist attack'
RT | rt.com | 2019-02-21
Empire actor and social justice activist Jussie Smollett has been arrested by Chicago police after he allegedly faked a homophobic, racist attack in the city and then lied to police about what happened. | …
rt.com/usa/452072-jussie-smollet-arrested-false-attack/

US Court Reopens Lawsuit Against Billionaire Israel Donor Sheldon Adelson
Middle East Monitor | theantimedia.com | 2019-02-21
(MEMO) — A US appeals court has reopened a billion-dollar lawsuit against Jewish-American tycoon Sheldon Adelson, which seeks to hold him and more than 30 others liable for war crimes and support of Israel's illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt). The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (DC) Circuit yesterday voted unanimously …

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Budget Proposal Would Force Grassroots Activists to Register as Lobbyists
Aída Chávez | theintercept.com | 2019-02-21
The New York governor's budget proposal includes a measure that would lower the annual spending threshold for what counts as lobbying from $5,000 to $500.
theintercept.com/2019/02/21/andrew-cuomo-budget-proposal-lobbying-reform/

UN says withdrawal agreement in Yemen is important progress
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2019-02-20
The Houthis have promised to withdraw from key port installations and the Saudi-led coalition from the eastern outskirts of Hodeidah. The ceasefire deal was reached in December…
peoplesdispatch.org/2019/02/20/un-says-withdrawal-agreement-in-yemen-is-important-progress/

Statement of Pro-Diplomacy Groups Regarding U.S. Policy Toward Iran
Peace Action | peaceaction.org | 2019-02-20
Pro-diplomacy groups representing millions of American voters urge lawmakers to publicly articulate and support the following principles with respect to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that verifiably blocks each of Iran's pathways to a nuclear weapon and created a much-needed diplomatic relationship between Iran, the United States, and U.S. allies: Support for the JCPOA and …
peaceaction.org/2019/02/20/statement-of-pro-diplomacy-groups-regarding-u-s-policy-toward-iran/

Charles Beard: Bob La Follette's Friend
Paul Buhle | progressive.org | 2019-02-20
A new book corrects the record on the anti-imperialist historian–a close ally of "The Progressive's" founder–whose work was much maligned by pro-empire liberals.
progressive.org/dispatches/charles-beard-bob-la-follettes-friend-Buhle-190220/

Trump refuses to let 'remorseful ISIS wife from Alabama' back into US, setting Twitter on fire
RT | rt.com | 2019-02-20
US President Donald Trump has refused to take in the New Jersey-born ISIS bride pleading to be allowed back into the US now that the terror group is all but destroyed in Syria, sparking an avalanche of mixed reactions on Twitter. | …
rt.com/usa/452030-trump-hoda-muthana-isis-bride/

U.S. Brinksmanship in Venezuela is Dangerous
Medea Benjamin | progressive.org | 2019-02-19
U.S. interference in Venezuela threatens to turn a crisis into a catastrophe. We can't let the violence that plagues the Middle East be transferred to Latin America.
progressive.org/dispatches/u-s-brinksmanship-in-venezuela-is-dangerous-benjamin-davies-190219/

Hope of Hodeida Ceasefire Wanes as Saudis Talks Peace but Bolster Military Presence
Ahmed Abdulkareem | mintpressnews.com | 2019-02-19
For Yemenis desperate for a solution, it may be hard to believe the Saudi Coalition's promises of a withdrawal from Hodeida after previous promises were made and subsequently broken.
mintpressnews.com/hope-of-hodeida-ceasefire-wanes-as-saudis-talks-peace-but-bolster-military-presence/255301/

Trump's Iran strategy: regime change or regime collapse?
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-02-19
When Donald Trump took office in January 2017, he made it clear that countering Iran was a top priority on his agenda. Trump ripped up the Iran Nuclear Deal, also known as JCPOA; reimposed pre-JCPOA sanctions and even added new ones that were unprecedented in terms of their scope and scale; and put Iranian citizens, …
uwidata.com/2271-trumps-iran-strategy-regime-change-or-regime-collapse/

Amazon's Defeat in NYC Galvanizes Movement to End Billion-Dollar Corporate Welfare
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2019-02-19
New York City is still reeling since Amazon announced last week that it was scrapping plans to build a major office facility in Queens. The decision came under mounting pressure from grassroots activists and local politicians who opposed the deal. Amazon had announced the project in November after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio offered Amazon nearly $3 billion in tax subsidies to come to the city. But local politicians and community organizers rallied against the tech giant and won. The lawmakers who took down Amazon say their victory is just the beginning of a major fight a…www.democracynow.org/2019/2/19/amazons_d…

Angela Davis Returns to Birmingham, Reflecting on Palestinian Rights & Fight for Freedom Everywhere
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2019-02-18
Civil rights icon and scholar Angela Davis returned to her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, over the weekend. She originally planned the visit to receive the Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, but the institute withdrew the award last month, soon after the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center sent a letter urging the board to reconsider honoring Davis due to her support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement targeting the Israeli government and Israeli institutions. Facing swift and widespread outcry, the institute then reversed its decision and reinst…www.democracynow.org/2019/2/18/angela_da…

Birmingham Civil Rights Group Reoffers Award to Angela Davis–But She Says Community Should Decide
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2019-02-18
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute sparked international outrage in January when it rescinded the Fred L. Shuttlesworth award for civil rights icon Angela Davis, soon after the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center sent a letter urging the board to reconsider honoring her due to her support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. Facing swift and widespread outcry, the institute then reversed its decision and reinstated the award, but Davis has yet to accept it. Democracy Now! spoke with the president and CEO of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Andrea Taylor, on Saturday, before an alternate e…www.democracynow.org/2019/2/18/birmingha…

Jewish Activists Hold Solidarity Shabbat Defending Angela Davis in Birmingham & Across U.S
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2019-02-18
Jewish supporters of Angela Davis across the nation held solidarity Shabbat on Friday evening, the night before the civil rights icon had been expected to receive the Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The institute rescinded the honor in January due to Davis' support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement targeting the Israeli government and Israeli institutions. The institute later reversed this decision after international outcry, but Davis has yet to accept the award. Democracy Now! was in Birmingham on Friday and attended a Shabbat in support of An…www.democracynow.org/2019/2/18/jewish_ac…

Summit in Sochi, US in a state of emergency, tragedy in Iran
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-02-18
Summit in Sochi The fourth summit of the Astana process on the settlement of the crisis in Syria was held on February 14 in Sochi. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan considers the summit to have been an important step. "The Summit in Sochi was very efficient and useful. The second round of talks began with Sochi, …
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